Carolina Hurricanes vs. Minnesota Wild: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The Carolina Hurricanes continue a two-game road trip with a visit to the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota to take on the Wild.

These two teams from different conferences have played once so far this season, when the Wild won on the road by a commanding score of 4-0.

The Hurricanes will be looking to return the favor in their second and final matchup of the regular season.

These are two strong teams who are currently sitting in playoff spots, but tight playoff races mean that these are an important two points.

How will this must-watch NHL matchup play out? Here are our Hurricanes vs. Wild predictions and more to get you set for the game.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Minnesota Wild betting picks and predictions

Carolina Hurricanes moneyline (-165)

The Hurricanes are the road team in this game, but that shouldn't prevent them from getting the win.

After a 6-0-1 stretch, the Canes have lost two straight games in regulation. For a team that holds itself at a high standard, I expect an extra effort to return to the win column.

Star power is in Carolina’s favor, especially after a couple of key events.

The Hurricanes have just acquired one of the NHL’s best forwards in Mikko Rantanen, while Minnesota has lost one of the NHL’s best forwards in Kirill Kaprizov to injury. Carolina is also a deeper and more balanced team.

The Canes are one of the elite teams in the league, but they are in the thick of the playoff race in the Metropolitan Division. They still have a ton of meaningful hockey left to play, meaning we should expect their best.

Minnesota is returning from a five-game road trip and I just don’t see them being ready for this attack.

Over 5.5 Total Goals (-110)

No matter who ends up winning this battle, I think we will see lots of goals, totaling Over 5.5.

The Wild have not scored in two straight games which does not spell confidence heading into this one, but I do not expect the barren spell to last. 

Even without superstar Kaprizov, they are a strong team with many talented offensive weapons. They have four other players with 10+ goals and three others with 35+ points.

This team should be hungry for goals and should have multiple on home ice against a Hurricanes team that has not shown their usual all-world defense as of late.

As for Carolina, I have no doubts they will also score multiple. The Wild were having a strong season defensively early into the season, but have since declined to the 15th-best goals against average.

This means the fourth-highest scoring Hurricanes should be able to capitalize on many chances.

Mikko Rantanen anytime goalscorer (+160)

Newly-acquired Canes forward Mikko Rantanen sits at the top of the list of likely players to score. He has only scored once in five games with his new team, but as time goes on, confidence and chemistry should be increasing.

In these five games, Rantanen has had 18 shots, meaning he is firing at a high pace to help his club.

With a 2-2-1 record in these games, Rantanen and the entire team should be playing with a higher sense of urgency. This could result in lots of offensive time.

Rantanen has been a perennial Rocket Richard Trophy candidate, as he is a scoring machine.

This season he has 26 goals which is the sixth-highest tally in the NHL. He is a constant threat and could give Minnesota headaches in this game.

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Carolina Hurricanes vs. Minnesota Wild odds

Carolina Hurricanes	-165 ML
Minnesota Wild	+140 ML
Puck Line	CAR -1.5
Total	O/U 5.5

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Minnesota Wild player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Mikko Rantanen (CAR Hurricanes)	+160
Sebastian Aho (CAR Hurricanes)	+170
Matthew Boldy (MIN Wild)	+190
Joel Eriksson Ek (MIN Wild)	+230
Seth Jarvis (CAR Hurricanes)	+230
Marco Rossi (MIN Wild)	+275

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.